Method of constructing building and apparatus for carrying out said method

ABSTRACT

Building is constructed by assembling roof on temporary beams which project beyond the building. Roof is either constructed on beams in final position or raised on beams after construction. The space beneath the roof is then shielded from the weather by tarpaulins or the like and the remainder of the building erected in this space. The invention includes apparatus for use in thus constructing the building.

United States Patent Houdin Sept. 3, 1974 [5 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTINGBUILDING 3,722,171 3/1973 Godley 52/745 figfigfggg FOR CARRYING OUTFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 687,727 2/1953 I Great Britain 52/741[76] Inventor: Henri Rene Houdin, 18 Rue 235,526 6/1945 Switzerland52/127 Theodore de Banville, Paris, France 742,704 1/ 1956 Great Britain52/741 [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1972 Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland 1Appl' 305,065 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brisebois & Kruger {30] ForeignApplication Priority Data 1 57] ABSTRACT 0v 9 France Buildmg 1sconstructed by assemblmg roof on tempo- [52] U S Cl 52 52 52/745 rarybeams which project beyond the building. Roof is [51] E5 2 i 21/00either constructed on beams in final position or raised [58] Fie'ld 52/263 741 745 on beams after construction. The space beneath the roof isthen shielded from the weather by tarpaulins or [56] References Citedthe like and the remainder of the building erected in this space. Theinvention includes apparatus for use in UNITED STATES PATENTS thusconstructing the building. 2,355,248 8/1944 Stevens 52/741 3,555,7541/1971 Kellogg 52/282 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEFB 1 14SH!!! 3 If 4 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING BUILDING AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYINGOUT SAID METHOD SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a newmethod of constructing buildings and to devices for use in carrying outthis method.

The invention is particularly well adapted to the construction ofbuildings of relatively small dimensions such as homes, but is notlimited to such applications.

The present invention is intended to permit the construction ofbuildings under conditions of comfort and protection from bad weatherwhich are the same as if the work were being done in a shop.

These conditions are obtained in accordance with the invention by simplemeans which permit a completely rational organisation of the work siteand make it possible to use materials such as prefabricated componentsunder dry conditions in accordance with an established plan, independentof atmospheric conditions'and without any reason to fear that thedifferent components which have been brought together in order toconstruct the building will suffer from bad weather, as is the caseunder conventional conditions.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a process forconstructing buildings essentially characterized by the fact that thefirst step is to construct the roof frame and the roof proper of thebuilding by supporting them on beams which are themselves supported byposts or the like located outside the area to be occupied by thebuilding which is to be constructed. The space inside which the buildingis to be constructed is protected by tarpaulins or other sheet materialsupported, for example, by the roof frame or on cables. The walls orsupporting members of the building are then constructed and the buildingfinished. The posts which first supported the roof are then removed.

In a first method embodying the invention the first step is to positionon the supporting posts those beams which are to support the roof duringthe construction and the roof trusses are then positioned on the beamsin the positions which they are to finally occupy in the completedbuilding, after which the roof is completed.

Protective tarpaulins or the like are then positioned outside thebuilding which is to be constructed.

In a preferred embodiment, the two beams which support the roof duringthe construction of the building are connected at their end by two crossmembers so as to form a rigid frame supported at each corner by avertical post. The seating of the posts (which may, for example, be in afooting provided for this purpose) and the structure of the posts andbeams are such as to provide adequate support for the complete roof andthe protective members located outside the building, taking into accountthe various pressures which may be expected, especially from wind andsnow.

In another method of utilizing the process according to the invention,the frame and cover of the roof are constructed on the ground on whichthe building is to be built, and then raised by jacks or the like, whichmay be incorporated into the posts used to support the beams which carrythe roof during the construction of the building. The construction thenproceeds as previously indicated.

In a third embodiment of the invention the roof is built under cover byerecting on the construction site an inflatable cover of sufficient sizeto cover the roof while lying on the ground, which cover is removed inorder to raise the roof into its final position. In this In accordancewith the invention it is preferable to prepare the site with itsconnections to various service lines such as water, gas, electricity,telephone and sewers before the roof is raised into place. Thefoundation,

7 on the contrary, may be advantageously constructed inside theenclosure formed in accordance with the invention.

Once the roofing and location of the tarpaulins has been completed (andthis does not generally take too much time) it is then possible to carryout the other construction steps in any conventional way, relying asnecessary on the local work force, since no specialized materials arerequired, and the existence of the roof facilitates the exact locationof the various structural components.

This method of construction also makes it possible for persons who haveno particular qualifications to do I a large part of the constructionwork on a home. In effect, the firm which positions the roof andprovides the protection for the space within which the house is to bebuilt may also install the foundations and the floor of the firststorey, and complete certain technical work including the installationof sanitary and heating facilities, water and electricity, after whichthe rest of the work may be carried out by the purchaser of thebuilding, provided that he possesses a minimum of technical knowledge,without having his work disturbed by bad weather, so that he maycomplete the job over as long a period of time as he desires.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide as a newarticle of manufacture a device for use in carrying out the aboveprocess which device is characterized by the fact that it comprisesbeams which are detachably mounted on posts, means fixed to the roofframe which permit it to rest on said beams, and means such as timbers,frames or cables adapted to support the tarpaulin or other protectivemembers defining the space within which construction is to take place.

In a particular embodiment the beams consist of two separable andpivotally attached sections which may be individually removed at the endof construction.

In order that the invention may be better understood, a preferredembodiment thereof will now be described, purely by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a building being constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail view on a larger scale showing the part within thecircle IV in FIG. 2; and

FIG. is a detail view on a larger scale showing the part encircled bythe circle V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows the two gabled walls 1 and 2 and the two side walls3 and 4of a building being constructed in accordance with the invention.

It also schematically shows the four roof trusses 5, 6, 7 and 8supported by two beams 11 and 12 connected at their ends by crossmembers 13 and 14, with the frame thus formed supported above the groundon four posts 15. Shuttering not shown insures the rigidity of the frameformed by the beams 11, 12, 13 and 14 on the posts 15 when the height ofthe beams is not in itself sufficient to provide the necessaryreinforcement.

As clearly shown on FIG. 1, the length of the beams 11 and 12 whichsupport the trusses 5, 6, 7 and 8 is substantially greater than thelength of the sides 3 and 4 so as to leave a space between the posts 15and the gable walls 1 and 2. In practice, it is desirable to be able toprovide a space about one meter wide between the posts 15 and the gablewalls. The beam 12 is shown on FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 clearly shows howthis beam 12 is supported at each end by a post 15 which is anchored atits base by bolts 16 in a footing 17.

As schematically shown on FIG. 3, the beam 12 consists of two partsconnected together by a pivot joint 18 in the upper strut and a jack inthe lower strut. The purpose of this pivot joint and jack will behereinafter explained.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 each truss is produced by joiningtogether two triangular members formed from a rafter 20, a tie-beam 21and an oblique member 22. The rigidity of this truss is increased by thecrossbars 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The various longitudinal members are connected to each othef by gussetplates in a conventional manner. The gusset plate 26a which connects therafter and the crossbars and 26 has a bearing surface 27 which rests onthe beam 12 during construction. To facilitate easy mounting of thetrusses after the beams 11, 12, 13 and 14 have been placed in position,the end 28 of the tie-beam is separably bolted to the remainder of thebeam so that when the truss is raised with a lifting device it ispossible to have it rest directly on the two beams 11 and 12.

The truss is assembled on the ground in a very simple manner by boltingtogether the two gusset plates 29 which connect the rafters 20 to theoblique members 22. This is accomplished by bringing the two gussetstogether and then connecting them by bolts or rivets 30. At the lowerpart of the truss, the truss is completed by a bar 31 fixed to a gusset32 which is itself bolted to the gusset 33 which connects the tie-beam21 and the crossbars 22, 24 and 25.

These assemblies are shown on a larger scale on FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a part of the rafters 34 and shingles 35which form the roof. It also shows the gutter 36 and the timbers 37which comprise a vertical post 38 connected to an inclined member 39which is attached at its upper end to the beam 12. It will be notedthat, in the embodiment shown, this inclined member 39 is positionedabove the wall 4 so as not to interfere with its construction. FIG. 2also shows how the tarpaulin 40, the upper end of which is attached at41 beneath the gutter 36 closes off the space in which the building isto be constructed by descending to the lower end of the post 38, whereit terminates in a skirt 41, while being attached to the bottom of thepost by a tie 42 which engages, for example, a hook 43. FIG. 3 shows howthe timbers 44 comprise a vertical post 45 and an inclined part 46connected to the crossbars l3 and 14 and support the tarpaulin 40, whichis attached at its lower edge as shown in FIG. 2. It follows that aroundthe periphery of the building and up to the height of the lower edge ofthe roof the tarpaulin 40 rests on the posts 39 and 45 and defines, inthe embodiment described, a substantially vertical wall. In order tomake the gables weather tight, cables 47 are stretched which extend fromthe ridge pole of the roof and are attached to pins or other anchoringmeans 48 located in the ground.

In this way the upper part of the gable is covered by the tarpaulin 40along three slopes, as may be seen on FIG. 1.

The method according to the invention is carried out in the followingway:

Firstly, the ground is prepared as necessary, the footings for the postsare formed, and the various service lines for gas, electricity, sewers,etc. are emplaced. The beams 11 and 12 and the crossbars l3 and 14 arethen mounted on the posts 15 which are attached by the bolts 16 to theirfootings l7.

After having assembled the trusses 5, 6, 7 and 8' on the ground, theyare raised into position by a lifting device so that they rest on thebeams 11 and 12. The parts 28 of the trusses are attached after thetrusses are positioned on the beams 11 and 12. The purlins 9 are mountedin place, together with the rafters 34, the sheathing, and the coveringmembers such as the shingles 35. The timbers 37 are positioned along theside walls and the timbers 44 along the gable walls. The cables 47 arestretched between the ridge pole and the hook means 48 which have beenpreviously anchored, and the tarpaulins are positioned as shown on thedrawings and as hereinbefore described.

One or more doors may'be provided in the tarpaulins in order to permitaccess into the space enclosed thereby. The foundations for the floor ofthefirst storey, the walls and the supporting members of the frame arethen constructed and the building is internally finished and providedwith fixtures.

When the building has been completed the tarpaulins 40 are removed,together with the timbers 37 and 44 and the cables 47.

In order to remove the beams 11 and 12 after having withdrawn the bolts16 which connect the posts 15 to their footings 17,-the jacks 19 areoperated in such a manner as to flex the beams downwardly, the twohalves of the beams pivoting slightly about the pivot pins 18. The pivotpins 18 are then removed and the beams 1 1 and 12 extracted, each halfbeing brought out through the gabled wall from which it projects. It isthen only necessary to complete the finishing of the building and closethe openings required to pass the beams 11 and 12.

It will be seen that the process according to the invention makes itpossible to construct a building in a particularly simple and economicalmanner while protected from the weather.

In an alternative process, it is possible to assemble the frameconstituted by the beams 11 and 12 and the crossbars l3 and 14 on theground, constructing the roof frame and the roof proper directly on theframe lying on the ground, and then lift the complete roof as semblyinto the position which it is to finally occupy by means of liftingdevices substituted for the posts 15. In another alternative arrangementit is possible to construct the roof beneath an inflated structure, oncethe ground has been prepared.

It will of course be appreciated that the embodiments described havebeen given purely by way of example, and may be modified as to detailwithout thereby departing from the basic principles of the invention. Inparticular it is obvious that the process may be carried out withstructural members different from those which have been described andthat the trusses may be of either metallic construction or wood, forexample. Similarly, it follows that the beams which support the roofframe during the construction may be of a different structure and naturethan those described, and that the means for supporting the tarpaulinswhich enclose the working space may be selected in another manner.

What is claimed is:

1. Method of constructing a building which comprises the steps ofpositioning temporary horizontal roof-frame supporting beams so thatthey extend across the space project beyond said space at each end,

providing temporary vertical supports for said beams positioned outsidesaid space,

constructing the roof-frame and the roof of said building whilesupported on said temporary horizontal beams,

protecting said space from the weather by providing temporary shieldingmeans surrounding said space,

constructing the walls and any other portions of the building which areto. permanently support said roof-frame inside the space thus protected,

transfering the load imposed by said roof-framc and roof from saidtemporary horizontal beams and vertical supports to the permanentsupporting walls,

and then removing said temporary beams, said vertical supports and saidshielding means.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1 in which said temporary roof-supportingbeams are first mounted on said temporary supports at a height such thata roof con structed thereon will occupy its final position and the roofis then constructed on said beams.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 in which the roof is constructed on saidbeams at ground level and subsequently lifted to rest at its final levelon said supports.

4. Process as claimed in claim 3 in which the roof is constructedbeneath an inflatable temporary cover.

1. Method of constructing a building which comprises the steps ofpositioning temporary horizontal roof-frame supporting beams so thatthey extend across the space which is to be occupied by said buildingand project beyond said space at each end, providing temporary verticalsupports for said beams positioned outside said space, constructing theroof-frame and the roof of said building while supported on saidtemporary horizontal beams, protecting said space from the weather byproviding temporary shielding means surrounding said space, constructingthe walls and any other portions of the building which are topermanently support said roof-frame inside the space thus protected,transfering the load imposed by said roof-frame and roof from saidtemporary horizontal beams and vertical supports to the permanentsupporting walls, and then removing said temporary beams, said verticalsupports and said shielding means.
 2. Method as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said temporary roof-supporting beams are first mounted on saidtemporary supports at a height such that a roof constructed thereon willoccupy its final position and the roof is then constructed on saidbeams.
 3. Method as claimed in claim 1 in which the roof is constructedon said beams at ground level and subsequently lifted to rest at itsfinal level on said supports.
 4. Process as claimed in claim 3 in whichthe roof is constructed beneath an inflatable temporary cover.